Two years ago, as a University of Nebraska-Lincoln freshman, Sam Lockhart knew nothing about venture capital — let alone things like due diligence, term sheets or how to analyze a business plan. But at a College of Business recruitment event for student organizations, one caught his eye: The Husker Venture Fund (HVF).
Working with a fund of over $1 million, and typically making investments of around $25,000, the student-led group is a key player in Nebraska’s small VC scene. HVF trained Lockhart and let him work on deals. Now, he’s one of three managing directors steering the fund with about 30 other students.
“When you look at the Midwest compared to other areas across the country, there’s a lot less total VC investment here, and less access to capital for founders,” Lockhart said. “So it’s cool for our group to be able to be a part of that in Nebraska.”
College VC funds are uncommon — except maybe in Nebraska, which has two. Alongside the HVF, the University of Nebraska at Omaha has the Maverick Venture Fund (MVF). Meanwhile, a third fund is in development at Creighton University.
Since its founding in 2020, the HVF has invested over half a million dollars across 19 startups, nearly all of them based in Nebraska. The MVF, established in 2018, has made 15 investments worth roughly $275,000, also focused on Nebraska startups.
